Cleveland Plain Dealer Features Mark Schroeder Auction brio

Cleveland's premiere benefit auctioneer was the feature of a Cleveland Plain Dealer article. Mark Schroeder, Northeast Ohio's only certified benefit auctioneer specialist was interviewed by Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Sarah Crump in her "10 minutes with..." column. Here are some excerpts from the feature article.

Mark Schroeder usually wears a tux to work as a benefit auctioneer.
Former TV sports anchor Mark Schroeder had to be somewhat of a fast talker to cover Cleveland teams during rapid-paced glory years of World Series, championships and playoff teams of the 1990s. So it seems natural that after leaving WJW Channel 8 in 2000, the John Carroll University grad became a professional benefit auctioneer specialist. The owner of Auction brio uses tux, mike and "excitement" to sell items ranging from puppies to cruises for charity. He recently chatted with Plain Dealer reporter Sarah Crump.

Do you perform the usual auctioneer's fast chant?
As a certified Benefit Auctioneer Specialist, it is more important to be lucid in the chant than to speak the chant as fast as possible. It's not a race. The object is to speak clearly and make the most money for the organization or the company.

What does your company's name mean?
Brio means "energy" in Spanish and Italian. That is what I try to provide as a professional auctioneer.

Where did you learn auctioneering?
I attended Reppert School of Auctioneering in Auburn, Ind. It is the oldest and most prestigious auctioneering school in the country. We had 38 instructors at auction school and eight of them were attorneys. We worked on the chant but were educated in the laws and running an innovative auction business with integrity.

Why did you become an auctioneer?
I hosted an event that had hired a licensed professional auctioneer. We hit it off. Being an auctioneer is similar to conducting a live shot for TV. You are in front of a large live audience. You are the focus of attention, and you are selling that item for two to three minutes at a time. For me, it is a natural conversion from television.

Name an odd item you've auctioned.
I told a high school principal that I could sell a $12 blowup dinosaur that represented the theme of the gala. I produced a Power Point of photos to tell a story about the mascot. I sold the $12 dinosaur for $380.

Name a fantastic item you've auctioned.
Once I had a gentleman who told me to auction off an item he had written on a napkin. He turned out to be legitimate. I sold a weekend trip for eight on his private jet to any destination in the continental United States, plus he would pay for the hotel and dinner. The value was $30,000. I sold it for $38,000.

Tell a funny story about an auction you conducted.
I once had a woman in an audience of 1,500 women scream, "How much are you?" I said, "That depends what you're going to use me for."

Got another one?
At a large gala, I sold a dog to a woman while her husband was at the bar. When he came back to the table, she greeted him with "Look what we bought." He said, "Oh, no we didn't." To keep peace in the family, the organization agreed to put the dog back up for auction. Here's the kicker: I got more money for it the second time.

What's one of the strangest services you've ever auctioned?
I have an auction in Michigan in February where a politician will come to your house dressed in whatever costume you wish him in and cut your lawn.

Reach Mark Schroeder, owner of Auction brio, at 216-210-2020 or visit his Web site at http://www.auctionbrio.com/.

Please clink on the link to see the entire Cleveland Plain Dealer article. http://www.cleveland.com/pdq/index.ssf/2009/01/mark_schroeder_is_one_fasttalk.html

Charitable Contributors Give Double in Economic Hardened 2008

What is the incentive for people to donate or pledge funds to non profit organizations? Is it a connection to the cause or is it philanthropic generosity? Likely it is both and a lot more. In a record year of 2007, very large philanthropic donors, the Slate 60 gave $7.8 billion dollars to non profit organizations. But in a far more economically challenged year of 2008, the dollars doubled by the billions! In 2008 the Slate 60 gave $15.8 billion dollars!

Is it the cause or philanthropic generosity? How is it that the companies or people with the most are giving more than ever in the toughest of times? It matters not the reason, just so they continue to contribute to the greatest need of non profit organizations who dedicate themselves to cures and educational advances.

In a time when people are challenged by a hardened economy, people are still giving, not just by the hundreds or thousands, but by the millions and billions! Let Auction brio conduct a live auction, make more money with your silent auction. Bank on it because there are billions being donated each year!

Greater Cleveland Sports Commission's Sports Awards tonight!

This evening will be one unlike any other for galas in Cleveland. The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission's Sports Awards gala is the Cleveland's jewel. Always a sold out event, the 1,100 guest will be entertained by local and national sports figures. Professional and amateur athletes gather to be honored or to just be part of this who's who.

I will be back on the stage as the gala's preferred benefit auctioneer specialist calling bids for the most unique sports experience packages to be assembled at an event. Packages that include airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to championship events at the amateur and the professional levels. You have to be there because no online auction to match this event.

It will be be a great night to see and been seen and to raise money for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Its a fresh start for opportunities for benefit auctions and fundraising. What are your plans? Is it an aggressive one or a passive one in order to raise more money this year? The first quarter will be an interesting one but I have to tell you that all of my auctions for 2009 are sold out! What a statement to the organizations and to the commitment to people who are still buying into an evening of entertainment and a chance to generously give a donation or bid on an auction item.

My clients have read the economic sign that the beginning of the year may not be as predictable to project final numbers, but we are working together to obtain the best presentation in items and entertainment. Auction brio is enhancing charity organizations with items only obtainable with my contacts from spending decades in the sports and corporate world.

Serving fewer appetizers or cutting spending on decorations is one thing, but investing in a certified benefit auctioneer is the smartest decision that the organization will make in event planning. The auctioneer is the one who is generating the money, make sure you get the best who educates the committee, not someone who just walks on stage and leaves. Being Cleveland's Premiere benefit auctioneer, I will provide your organization with the knowledge to make more money in 2009. All the best to your success!